PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between denis meacham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Danny Smith has the eye of the tiger tonight.

meacham
vs
Smith

188 cm
24
205 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

185 cm
19
205 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, denis meacham!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Danny Smith!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Glass and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith checks a leg kick.

Smith gets the takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but meacham is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Smith throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
meacham on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if meacham tries to get out of the position.

Smith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. meacham knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Smith has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for meacham!

Smith moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, meacham has worked his arm free - good work by meacham!
Smith staying calm.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Smith tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Smith has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
meacham is not content to let Smith control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
meacham can't do much from the bottom here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Smith is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
meacham ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but meacham shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries for a takedown but meacham sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but meacham shows good takedown defense.
denis meacham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danny Smith.
meacham tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
meacham lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
meacham scores with a shot to the body.
Smith looks gassed!
meacham wants to slow Smith down by chopping away at his legs.
meacham comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Smith dodges the punch combination from meacham.
meacham ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith steps to the side to avoid the strikes from meacham.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
meacham thows a left - swing and a miss!
meacham throws a chopping leg kick but Smith manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
meacham misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.
meacham scores with a jab.
meacham misses with a hook. Smith ducked under it nicely.
Smith looks for a takedown but meacham sprawls well.
meacham throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
meacham lands a head shot.

Smith bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

denis meacham dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

meacham looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
A big left from meacham misses.
meacham throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A jab from meacham misses.
Smith takes one to the side of the head.
meacham throws a big shot that misses.
meacham throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
meacham slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
meacham throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Smith ducks under a wild hook from meacham.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith shoots in and bounces meacham off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but meacham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith wants to control from the top but meacham keeps moving.
Smith stops meacham from standing up.

Smith drops back, looking for a kneebar! meacham looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. meacham looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from meacham!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith struggling a bit here.
Smith is looking for a sweep.
Smith manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Smith makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.
Smith manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Smith tries to control but meacham wriggling away.
Smith unloading with bombs!

Smith working for a submission but meacham is keeping him at bay.

Smith goes for an armbar but meacham turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from meacham.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
meacham tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.
Smith wants to sweep here but meacham controlling him for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and meacham defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

meacham looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
meacham throws a hook but Smith avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from meacham as Smith shoots in.
Smith looks for a takedown but meacham sprawls well.
Smith slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
meacham throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
meacham cracks Smith with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
meacham misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from meacham misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
meacham throws an overhand right that lands on Smith's shoulder, as Smith tries to avoid the shot.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says meacham as he avoids it easily.
denis meacham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danny Smith.
Smith avoids the body shot from meacham.
Smith takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Smith tries to clinch but meacham is having none of it.
meacham throws a hook to the side of Smith's head but Smith sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
meacham getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
meacham avoids the body shot from Smith.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
denis meacham is winning the standup battle so far.
meacham misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from meacham.
Smith tries for a takedown but meacham sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
meacham swings and misses with a hook to the body.
meacham misses with a double jab

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Smith is looking to take a break and control but meacham is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Smith is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
meacham is trying to stand up here but Smith is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is nestled in close to meacham, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Smith seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but meacham does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Smith passes the guard and advances to mount!
meacham has given up his back.
Smith softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Smith is looking to control meacham but meacham is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

meacham defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Smith's arms.
The referee is taking a good look at meacham as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Smith!

Smith working for a choke but meacham is defending well.
meacham is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Smith really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smith shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Nice straight punches there by meacham. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of meacham.
meacham with a jab.
meacham lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Smith slips a straight right by meacham.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Smith closes this distance looking for a takedown but meacham circles away.
denis meacham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danny Smith.
A big left from meacham misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but meacham circles away quickly and effectively.
meacham lands a nice hook to Smith's body. Smith takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
meacham connects with a right hand. Smith shakes it off.
meacham throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. meacham tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. meacham manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
meacham takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
Smith tries for a takedown but meacham sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
meacham throws a good cross that connects.
denis meacham seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith staying out of range there.
Danny Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
meacham misses with a few strikes there.
Smith looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? meacham is fending him off so far but Smith persists. Nope, meacham circles away and we're back to standing.
meacham misses with a wild body shot.
meacham misses with a few strikes there.
meacham thows a left - swing and a miss!
meacham misses with a two punch combination.
meacham throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smith uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from meacham.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries for a takedown but meacham sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - meacham sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts meacham, as that shot connected.
Smith slips a straight right by meacham.
meacham throws a big shot that misses.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.

meacham is defending against the submission attempts here by Smith.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

meacham is defending against the submission attempts here by Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

denis meacham had his way with Danny Smith in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

meacham scores with a jab to the head.
meacham misses with a looping left.
Smith throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around meacham's waist but meacham gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smith off to one side.
Smith scores with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
meacham connects with a body shot.
meacham keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Smith is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
meacham throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
meacham tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
meacham misses with a hook.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
denis meacham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danny Smith.
A jab from meacham misses.
A big left from meacham misses.
meacham misses with a hook to the body
and Smith counters with a left and a right that stings meacham.
Nice sprawl there from meacham as Smith shoots in.
Jab by meacham.
Smith steps to the side to avoid the strikes from meacham.
meacham stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from meacham misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for meacham.
A nice leg kick lands there from meacham.
meacham swinging wilding here.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from meacham.
No joy there for meacham, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. meacham tries to avoid it but Smith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag meacham to the ground. meacham escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith gets a takedown into half guard.

Smith is looking for a kimura but meacham is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Smith to get the leverage.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Smith is looking for a kimura here.
meacham is refusing to be controlled, as Smith sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith trying to work for an americana but meacham has managed to regain full guard.

meacham has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Smith off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Smith shoots in and drives through. meacham sprawls well.
meacham bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Smith's head.
meacham misses with an uppercut.
meacham throws a chopping leg kick but Smith manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
meacham throws a shot from downtown. Smith moves away and avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to denis meacham.
I think meacham has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Glass scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... denis meacham!
denis meacham retains his light heavyweight title!